Page 3 of 6
- Common-mode noise
The noise voltage that appears equally and in phase from each current-carrying conductor to ground. - Crest factor
Ratio between the peak value (crest) and rms value of a periodic waveform. - Critical load
Devices and equipment whose failure to operate satisfactorily jeopardizes the health or safety of personnel, and/or results in loss of function, financial loss or damage to property deemed critical by the user. - Distortion factor
The ratio of the root mean square of the harmonic content to the root mean square value of the fundamental quantity, expressed as a percent of the fundamental – also referred to as total harmonic distortion. - Dropout
A loss of equipment operation (discrete data signals) due to noise, sag or interruption. - Dropout voltage
The voltage at which a device will release to its de-energized position (for this recommended practice, the voltage at which a device fails to operate). - Equipment grounding conductor
The conductor used to connect the non-current carrying parts of conduits, raceways and equipment enclosures to the grounding electrode at the service equipment (main panel) or secondary of a separately derived system (for example, isolation transformer) – (this term is defined more specifically in the NEC, Section 100).